The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge is a popular choice for long range accuracy in competition and hunting, providing a light recoil and rapid fire capabilities. It shoots beautifully through both bolt action and AR platform rifles, providing versatility and comfort for a wide range of shooting styles.
What is even better, it outperforms the ever popular .308 Win and 30-06 with less felt recoil, making it a true hunters dream caliber – especially when used with a muzzle brake. The additional reduction of force and barrel lift allows even small framed shooters to handle the shot with ease.
Of course the addition of a muzzle break isn’t an absolute for a rifle that accepts the 6.5 CM, but it certainly is a viable option that you should seriously consider, especially when teaching children how to shoot.
What is a Muzzle Brake?
A muzzle brake is a muzzle device that fits snugly onto the end of your barrel either via a clamping system or threaded on (which is preferred to keep it snug and easy to swap out if ever needed). It is simple in design and looks like a short steel tube, slightly larger in diameter than your barrel. It works to redirect the gasses created when you shoot through vented prtrs that are built into the design. These ports redirect the gasses and release them in a controlled manner, thus reducing the felt recoil and working to help counteract muzzle lift as well. Most brakes offer up to a 50% reduction in these forces.
A word to the wise, however, they increase the volume of your shot, creating a compressive shock and sound that can be quite loud to anyone standing nearby. Luckily, the shooter avoids the worst of this due to standing behind the gas release..
Muzzle Brake Sizes
You aren’t going to shop too heavily for a muzzle brake based on size. Rather, you want to choose one based on what specifics it offers – such as hybrid benefits that suppress flash and work as a compensator for increased barrel control. All brakes are generally measured a few inches in length and weight between 2 and 4 ounces. They are designed to avoid elongating the barrel too much, or adding a noticeable increase in weight.
What you do need to pay particular attention to is the thread. The size you want for a 6.5 CM barrel is almost exclusively always going to fit a more universal 5/8-24 TPI threaded muzzle. Most tactical barrels are already threaded, but even if you have an option that requires threading, a professional gunsmith can get it done for you with minimal effort.
6.5 CM Muzzle Brake Benefits
To determine if you truly need a muzzle brake for your 6.5 Creedmoor, let’s take a closer look at the benefits they offer. First off, muzzle devices are an easy modification that doesn’t require professional gunsmithing or any special steps. At the most, you will want to adjust your sighting in your rifle and simply get used to the slight changes it may offer in how it feels when shooting. Otherwise, you will more or less begin to reap the benefits of a more stable mizzle and reduced recoil pretty much right away!
- Provides up to a 50% reduction in felt recoil
- Offers reduction of muzzle lift
- Allows you to stay on target for a follow up shot
- Provides accuracy and efficiency for competition shooting
- Allows you to shoot higher caliber bullets for longer without becoming fatigued
- Provides a more controlled shooting scenario for small framed bodies and children
The Bottom Line
What this all comes down to if you are wondering if you truly need a muzzle break is personal preferences and justification for use. The 6.5 Creedmoor is a popular round for hunting purposes due to its long range accuracy and has made a name for itself in match competition as well. Even though it isn’t an incredibly hard hitting option to begin with, the addition of a muzzle brake can provide a more comfortable shooting experience through the reduction of recoil and improved barrel control.
As for what type of brake and the size you should consider, always look closely at what the product offers – such as direction of gas dispersion for barrel control and muzzle flash suppression. As long as the brake offers a 5/8-24 TPI thread, you should have no issues with compatibility.